MacLenon Early Origins

The surname MacLenon was first found in Ayrshire where their history vitally is enmeshed with that of the larger Logan Clan. The MacLenon spelling of this name was first found in Druimdeurfait, in Ross-shire, where they were a branch of the Highland Logans, who lived along Loch Lochy. According to family lore, they descend from Gilliegorm, Chief of the northern Logans, who was killed battling the Clan Fraser. His pregnant wife taken captive by Lord Lovat. Her son, born humped back, was called Crotair MacGilliegorm, the "crooked-back son of Gilliegorm." Fearing future revenge on the Frasers by the boy, he was sent to a monastery at Beauly, where he became a monk. He was said to be an ardent follower of the Irish Saint Fhinan, and one of his children took the name Mac Gillie Fhinan, which eventually became MacLennan.

MacLenon Spelling Variations

MacLenon Spelling Variations

Before the first dictionaries and printing presses went into use in the last few hundred years, spelling, particularly of names, was a largely intuitive matter. Consequently, many spelling variations occur in even the simplest names from the Middle Ages. MacLenon has been spelled MacLennan, MacLenan, McLennan, McLennen and many more.

MacLenon Early History

MacLenon Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacLenon research. Another 493 words (35 lines of text) covering the years 1204, 1296, 1329, 1555, 1606, 1609, 1746 and 1890 are included under the topic Early MacLenon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacLenon Early Notables (pre 1700)

MacLenon Early Notables (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early MacLenon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacLenon In Ireland

MacLenon In Ireland

Some of the MacLenon family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

The east coasts of the United States and Canada are still populated by many of the descendents of the Boernician-Scottish families who made that great crossing. They distributed themselves evenly when they first arrived, but at the time of the War of Independence those who remained loyal to England went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. This century, many of their ancestors have recovered their past heritage through highland games and other Scottish functions in North America. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Investigation of the origins of family names on the North American continent has revealed that many immigrants bearing the name MacLenon or a variant listed above: William MacLenan, who arrived in Pictou, N.S. in 1773 aboard the "Hector"; Angus, Donald, Duncan, Farquhar, John, Roderick, and Rory Maclennan, who were all sent to Barbados in 1745.

Motto

Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Hoc majorum virtusMotto Translation: This is the valour of my ancestors.

Fairbairn,. Fairbain's book of Crests of the Families of Great Britain and Ireland, 4th Edition 2 volumes in one. Baltimore: Heraldic Book Company, 1968. Print.

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The MacLenon Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The MacLenon Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.